Orange and chocolate is one of the all-time great flavor combinations, and there might be no better example of this successful marriage than Mitica Orange Delights, made by third-generation confectioners the Caro brothers in the Aragón region of Spain. These delicias de Naranja are Valencia orange slices, candied with both pulp and rind intact, then dunked in melted dark chocolate. The result: a bonbon with a gratifying chew and a full citrus flavor that plays well with the intense chocolate. Though most popular in Spain during the holidays, these candies are delicious anytime. Try them as a companion to coffee for an effortless dessert or as an afternoon pick-me-up. $9 for a 5-ounce box, www.caputosdeli.com

One sure sign of spring in Canada? Maple sugaring season, of course. Enter Remonte Pente, a deep-amber maple syrup made from end-of-season maple sap in a small village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and among the most unique out there. Collected from trees that are, on average, 150 years old, this version from Société-Orignal, a Quebec-based purveyor of specialty regional foods from farmers and foragers, is crafted the old-fashioned way: Sap is slowly reduced over a wood-burning fire on the same site where it is hand-harvested. The resulting highly concentrated elixir has a dark caramel flavor, a touch of woodsy smoke and pleasing acidity. Though it's perfectly delicious over pancakes and waffles, a little goes a long way. Consider using it as a finishing syrup, drizzled over ice cream, roasted vegetables, meat or fish; whisking it into salad dressings; or shaking it up in a cocktail. $17 for a 4-ounce bottle, murrayscheese.com

Some people swear that the best pistachios come from Turkey (where, word has it, the brighter green they are, the more money they fetch). But there's a contender for world's best right here in the States. These beauties from Santa Barbara Pistachio Company, grown on a family-run organic farm in California, are tender, oil-rich, borderline sweet and, oh, so flavorful. Chef
Suzanne Goin,
for one, swears by them; indeed, they're a top-notch ingredient for nut-crusted meat and fish, pesto and pastries, and also an addictive snack. Available in many different guises (roasted, raw, shelled, salted, unsalted and in flavors like zesty chile-lemon), all of them delicious, these are pistachios you'd be nuts not to try. From $8 for a 12-ounce bag, santabarbarapistachios.com